Writing your own 2020 Performance Review

In any other year, the middle of December would normally mean a combination of last minute projects to get over the line, one (or more) Christmas parties and whole set of performance reviews to complete, including my own.

2020 is a little bit different, but one thing I have found so useful is to try and keep some 'normal' whilst embracing the changes this year brings. Last night I gathered five of my oldest friends for a Zoom murder mystery to replace the Christmas party and today I'm embracing the chance to write my first LinkedIn article to share my own take on a 2020 performance review and share my wins of the year.

I've re-discovered the value of digital, especially LinkedIn, since the world turned upside down in March. I've found there is a freedom and opportunity to be had in sharing your thoughts with peers and colleagues openly. In my roles to date I have lived and breathed the brands I have worked for (which was easy, as they were great), but there is also some confidence to be found in living and breathing your own voice for a while.

All commercial people say they 'network', but this year has re-affirmed the value of speaking to new contacts and getting fresh perspective. It's true what they say, you never know what is out there until you go looking and there is always something new to be found. I want to stay more open-minded to all options going forward.

I'm a people person through and through. I've had the chance to spend more time talking to old colleagues, bosses, clients, new contacts and everyone in between this year. Having locked-down with my parents for four months and found myself with a bit more time to myself than usual towards the end of 2020, I've actually been able to maintain my time with friends and family more than most, even if it is often virtually. One solo lockdown will be enough for me and I can't wait for the day we are all free to meet again.

We are all more adaptable than we think we are. I've been employed and self-employed, I've worked in an office and at home, I've been through a furlough, a consultation process and become a consultant. I know more about myself and how I work best than I would have ever known if I hadn't truly ridden the corona-coaster this year.

Time doesn't stand still and you have to embrace the day in front of you. I've worked less hours than a normal year and we've been locked down for half of it, but that doesn't mean that time has been wasted. I've worked with three or four different coaches. I've taken up mentoring students. I've tried out learning new skills for myself. I've walked more laps of the local parks, swum more lengths of Brockwell Lido and done more yoga than I could have ever fitted into a normal year. I've been able to have a mini holiday (one night on the Kent coast!) and I've lived back in the North for five months, completed a fundraising challenge to support the much needed MIND and read more books. I've volunteered with small and local business and their owners and got a chance to bring out my entrepreneurial side by using my skills to help them grow. I've made new friends and found new contacts. The importance of health and wellbeing, friends and family and the need to recharge isn't something I want to lose sight of.

We all have weaknesses and no review would be complete without a glance at them. For me, I was often focussed on someone else - a client, a colleague, a member of my team and 2020 has forced me to really consider what I want for myself. I can easily get myself stuck and tangled and overwhelmed in choice (or lack of choice). I think through all my decisions when sometimes you just have to react. That said, a wonderful coach once told me that you actually do far better in work and in life by focussing on playing to your strengths and I've tried to embrace that ever since so we'll stop there on the weaknesses.

As with all reviews, after reflection comes goal setting and as the dust settles over the next few weeks that's what I'll be doing. No doubt my first 2021 objective will be to seek out those next career options that make best use of my strengths and beyond that to keep going, keep growing and keep learning. 2021 is a blank canvas and whilst that brings uncertainty, pressure and stress, I hope it will also bring opportunity.

Most of my reviews have ended with the same message - well done, now go and enjoy Christmas and come back ready to go next year. So I'm leaving myself, and anyone else who needs to hear it with the same message.

For everyone who has helped me through the ups, downs and loop-the-loops of the crazy ride of 2020, a massive thank you. It is so appreciated. I'm sure 2021 really will be a happier new year for us all and I look forward to making the most of it.